Pepper Lunch Century City — Restaurant in Makati

I really wanted to like this place, and for the most part, it delivered—except for the karaage chicken, which was a major letdown. I was genuinely excited to try it, expecting that signature crispy, juicy bite with a well-balanced marinade. Unfortunately, what I got was incredibly salty—almost inedible. It completely overpowered the flavor of the chicken and made it difficult to enjoy the rest of the meal.

It’s a shame because everything else seemed promising: the ambiance is cozy, service was friendly and efficient, and other dishes on the menu looked great. But the karaage really ruined the experience for me. It felt like whoever prepared it either forgot to dilute the marinade or just went way overboard with the seasoning.

I’m giving two stars because there’s clearly potential here, and I’m hoping this was just a one-off mistake. But if you’re thinking of ordering the karaage, be warned—it’s saltier than the ocean. I’d love to give this place another chance, but next time I’ll definitely steer clear of that dish unless I hear...

Before visiting, I checked the Google reviews. I noticed there were no replies at all from the owner or manager… At that point, I already had a feeling that customer feedback might not be a priority here. • Beef Pepper Rice – ₱309 • Karaage (fried chicken) – ₱130 • Pepsi – ₱55

The prices are roughly the same as in Japan.

When I walked in, the staff greeted me with a cheerful “Irasshaimase!” in Japanese. For a moment, it felt like a Japanese-style restaurant, but honestly, that greeting was the only truly Japanese part of the experience.

Like many overseas locations, this branch seems to operate under a franchise model. Simply put, the main company in Japan signs a contract with a local company, and that local company manages operations and recruits franchisees within the country. On paper, this allows the brand to adapt to the local market and culture. But along the way, some of the original “Japanese spirit” and attention to detail can easily get lost.

The food itself tasted exactly the same as in Japan: rice, thinly sliced beef, and corn on a sizzling hot plate with plenty of salt and pepper. Classic Pepper Lunch flavor — no complaints about the taste.

However, there were small moments that felt off. For example, just as my food arrived, staff started sweeping the floor nearby. There were only three tables of guests, yet I counted nearly ten staff members including the kitchen. It felt a bit unbalanced.

This is just my guess, but many overseas franchise stores don’t focus on long-term employment. Due to insurance and contractual structures, there tends to be high staff turnover, which makes it hard to maintain consistent service and smooth operations.

I’ve liked Pepper Lunch for years, so it’s a bit sad to see how franchising can slowly dilute what makes the brand special. The flavor is the same, but the atmosphere and small touches just aren’t quite like Japan.

I believe there’s a lot of room for improvement, so I’m leaving 3 stars with the hope that things will get better.

お店に行く前にGoogleレビューをチェック。 オーナーや店長からの返信は一切なし…。 この時点で「お客さんの声はあまり気にしていないのかな」と少し不安に。 • ビーフペッパーライス – ₱309 • 唐揚げ – ₱130 • ペプシ –...

One of our go-to places to eat. I tried several options here but the Garlic Pepper Beef is still my favorite. I know the picture I added is the Agio Olio, I think this was new, I just had to try it. It's okay but the beef options are better. I also tried the salmon, but I'm not a fan, it's too slim. Go with the beef.

My wife and I always go for the double beef option. I think the regular one doesn't have that much beef, so we prefer to add.

If you're new here, or haven't tried this kind of dining, please don't be shy to ask the staff, they're friendly. I remember the first time I had this, years ago, I was confused when I was given uncooked meat. lol

I've never seen this place full, even during lunch or dinner, so you'll always have a place to sit. They accept credit cards but always be ready with cash. A lot of times, either the card terminal isn't working or they're doing something with it, rendering the terminal...